Summer vacation is supposed to be a break from paperworks and a time of relaxation but it doesn’t mean to be a time of laziness. It is a time of rest but we should take note that too much rest can also be dangerous because instead of preparing us to be more productive, it makes us too lax and complacent.

As exciting as it sounds, summer vacation and long weekends can also be a breeding ground for idleness. I don’t mean that we do nothing. It’s just that we don’t do anything worthy. Like staring at the Television all day, checking updates from some youtubers or scrolling at your news feed over and over again. Then, at the end of the day, wonder how time fled so fast!

We should be wise where we invest our time because it is a gift we freely receive but we cannot generate. My mentor would often say that we don’t need extra time because we all work under the same 24-hour clock. What we need is wisdom in using it.

Which made me realize that we really need is a break from…

“If only” syndorme“If only I have…” “If only I go to…” “If only my parents are like this and that…” “If only this country…” and the list goes on! These words paralyzes us thinking that we can olnly do something if some of these are met. But the truth is the opposite.

“Someday” syndrome“I will make a difference but not today, maybe someday.” We should be careful in delaying things because we don’t no when is the due date and, surely, we don’t want to come the season of regret.

How to break from the idleness cycle?

Ask God for His will
Instead of filling your daily planner with your agenda, seek for God’s agenda for you on your daily schedule because discovering and doing God’s will for you is like hitting the bulls- eye and winning the jackpot – nothing more, nothing less.

Aspire to inspire others
While God gives specific assingments, all of these have common characteristics – it is motivated by and aimed at loving God and loving others. Doing things for others and with others reflects a life saved by grace.

Act now
Like Queen Esther, we are called for such a time as this. We serve and worship a God who’s on the move. We, too, are expected to love now, to forgive now, to serve now, to be the salt and light now, and to share the love of God now. Not tomorrow, not someday but today!

The best day to start changing the world is not on New Year’s day. It is today!

Growing up in an island created in my heart a special place for the ocean, where time moves in slow motion as I stare at it and where my imagination goes beyond it’s horizon. I definitely love the ocean, the sand, the breeze, and almost everything in it. It is a picture of humility, harmony and endless possibility.

But today, I was reminded by God that no matter how I love the sand I must learn to let it go. With that, I know that it won’t be easy. After all, not everyone finds letting go as an easy task.

Why let go of the sand?
God wanted you to get out of the sand because your season there is finished. He wanted you to put the sand behind because He it’s to take up the soil. The soil is where planted seeds bud, grow and develop. From a seed it can grow to a tree with an unimaginable size. A tree that blooms flowers that are absolutely majestic. Most importantly, a tree that bears fruit.

This is a reminder that Jesus wants us to walk upon the water and calm the raging sea through His name but He also said in…

John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

“You want the promise of a pain-free life?… There isn’t one.” – Sophia, The Shack

There’s always a battle in this world – battle among nations, battle between opposing parties, battle between good and evil and a battle within. In a battle, pain and suffering are always present.

As I was talking to my friend who’s undergoing a difficulty in choosing between a righteous life, where we follow God and according to His standard, and a life away from God and doing the same sin over and over again, I told her a revelation I got at that moment:

“Choosing between good and evil is like a boxing match and this earth is the boxing ring. Whatever side you choose, both will be hit, will be bruised, will experience pain and might even get a serious injury. But defining moment inside the boxing ring is the proclamation of the winner.

It’s the same with life. If you follow God there will be troubles, storms, tragedies and persecution. If you live outside the will of God and continue sinning, you’ll experience every kind of problem and painful situation, too.

The distinguishing factor is the result. Do you want to fight where you know you can win? Or are you fighting knowing that you’re doomed at the end?”

I want to fight knowing that I’ll win and it encourages me all the more to follow God and live with Him as my Lord and Savior! I hold on to what Jesus said,

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 NIV

I had never been into a committed boy-girl type of relationship but there were times when I almost made that mistake. Thank God for His love is greater than my stubbornness. But my stand on that matter was funny. I am a traditional type of girl and have this idealistic level of standard.

Grade school.I need to finish high school before entering into a relationshipHigh school. My mom won’t allow me. I promised to her and to myself that I am not going to have a boy friend until I finish high schoolCollege. My ideal guy was unsearchable. Then, I have had a serious relationship with the Lord. I want to wait for God’s man, His timing, and undergo His process before receiving the gift – my better half.

Now. I work in the church. I have seen and heard about families torn apart because of parents giving up to the struggles of life, losing against temptation, and, the saddest thing of all, going to the battle unprepared.

Unfortunately, my family isn’t an exemption. I also struggle and fight for my family. But often times, warriors get tired too. I never expect us to be perfect but “trying” is okay.

After all of the things I see, hear and experience, a constant revelation keeps ringing in my heart:

Parenthood is a calling. It’s not just about feeding your children, clothing them, giving them shelter. There’s more to that!

It is saying “yes” before God and taking on the responsibility to raise up a child with the fear of the Lord, with the love not just with words and train them to be kind and Christ-like in this world.

It is showing them, instead of just telling them, the virtues we uphold. It is standing with confidence that what they say is true even when no one is watching.

It is building a HOME instead of just a HOUSE.

I can’t help but to raise the standard higher.

To my future children (physically and spiritually),

I love you. I know I’m not going to be a perfect mother. But I want to love them, love them too much to carefully consider them and not give in to my desires, to allow God to take me to that process so that I’ll be ready to nurture you well, to dare to dream big dreams so I can tell you someday that you can have yours too and to rest and be assured of my identity in the Lord as His child. My prayer is that God use me to love, help, equip and guide you to be the person God called you to be. I will not give up on you.